**Indulge in the Festive Spirit with Delightful Mini Christmas Cakes: A Journey Through Culinary Traditions**
As the holiday season approaches, the air fills with the aroma of sweet treats and the excitement of gift-giving. Among the many delectable delights associated with Christmas, mini Christmas cakes hold a special place. These bite-sized wonders capture the essence of the festive season with their rich flavors, intricate decorations, and heartwarming symbolism. In this article, we present a collection of enticing mini Christmas cake recipes that will transform your holiday baking into a joyous and memorable experience. From classic fruitcake variations to modern twists infused with seasonal spices and unique ingredients, these recipes cater to diverse tastes and dietary preferences. Let's embark on a culinary journey filled with the spirit of Christmas, one bite at a time.
MINI CHRISTMAS CAKES
This recipe makes enough for 24 luxurious mini fruitcakes. They make a thoughtful Christmas gift for neighbors, work colleagues or teachers, or as part of a gift basket. You can decorate them differently by making one for each family member which makes it a lot more fun.
Provided by Ita
Categories Desserts Fruit Dessert Recipes Orange Dessert Recipes
Time P12DT10h30m
Yield 24
Number Of Ingredients 22
Steps:
- Combine currants, raisins, sultana raisins, and candied cherries in a plastic container with a lid. Pour brandy over dried fruit; stir in orange and lemon zest. Close container and set aside to soak for 2 to 3 days. Stir or shake container every few hours as you remember.
- Preheat oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with 24 cupcake cases or lightly grease 24 ramekins.
- Combine 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter and 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons brown sugar in a bowl and beat with an electric mixer until well combined. Add eggs and molasses and beat well. Stir in all-purpose flour, self-rising flour, almonds, and mixed spice until well combined. Fold in almonds and soaked fruit; mix well. Spoon mixture into the prepared cases or ramekins.
- Bake in the preheated oven on the center rack until a toothpick inserted in the middle of a cake comes out clean, about 90 minutes. Allow to cool in their cases.
- Store in airtight tins or wrap them tightly in greaseproof paper and aluminum foil for at least 10 days before decorating.
- Heat jam in the microwave for 10 seconds until warmed and brush onto each cake.
- Roll out marzipan between 2 sheets of plastic wrap. Cut out circles with a round cookie cutter or a glass with the same diameter as the cakes. Arrange marzipan circles on top of the jam on each mini fruitcake. Store fruitcakes in an airtight container before finishing the final decoration, 8 hours to overnight.
- Roll out white fondant between 2 sheets of plastic wrap and cut out circles with the same diameter as the cakes. Press a cookie stencil with a snowflake pattern onto the fondant circles. Color in the snowflake pattern with blue food coloring using a small brush and place on top of the marzipan layer. Repeat with remaining cakes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 421.9 calories, Carbohydrate 66.5 g, Cholesterol 46.1 mg, Fat 14.2 g, Fiber 3.3 g, Protein 4.8 g, SaturatedFat 6.1 g, Sodium 57.9 mg, Sugar 41.5 g
MINI CHRISTMAS CAKES
At Christmas time we love to serve our visitors these tiny Christmas cakes, baked in muffin tins. They're easy to make, dark, moist and full of flavour. Start this recipe at least one day ahead as the fruit needs to soak overnight. Preparation time does not include this step.
Provided by Kookaburra
Categories Dessert
Time 1h20m
Yield 32-36 mini cakes
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Place mixed fruit into a very large basin.
- Add rum and mix well.
- Cover with plastic wrap and allow to stand overnight.
- The next day, preheat oven to 150°C (300°F) and arrange oven racks to accommodate muffin tins in the centre section of the oven.
- Place 2 muffin cases into each hole of 2 or 3, 12 hole muffin tins.
- One ingredient at a time, add the beaten eggs, grated apple, treacle and sugar to the fruit mixture, mixing well with a wooden spoon after each addition.
- Add cooled, melted butter and sifted flours and mix thoroughly.
- If you're making these instead of a Christmas cake, make sure to let every member of the family have a stir of the mixture while they make a Christmas wish.
- Spoon the mixture into the muffin cases, filling to almost full.
- Use the back of a spoon to smooth the top of each cake.
- Press a glace cherry into the centre of each cake and, around each cherry, press in 5 almonds to make petals- pointy end closest to the cherry.
- Bake, in batches if necessary, at 150°C (300°F) for about 40-45 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre of a cake comes out clean.
- When cooked, remove muffin tins from the oven, remove cakes in their papers from muffin tins and cool on racks.
- When cakes are completely cool, store in airtight tins and keep in a cool place or, if you're in a warm climate, store in the refrigerator.
- Alternatively, wrap each cake, still in its paper, tightly in plastic wrap, pack into plastic freezer bags and freeze.
- Cakes will keep for at least a month if stored correctly or longer if frozen.
Tips:
- Prep Ahead: To save time, bake the cakes and make the buttercream frosting a day or two in advance. Store them separately at room temperature.
- Level Cakes Evenly: For a professional-looking finish, use a serrated knife to level the cakes after they have cooled completely.
- Chill Before Frosting: Place the cakes in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before frosting. This will help the frosting adhere better and prevent it from melting.
- Use a Piping Bag for Smooth Frosting: Fit a piping bag with a star tip and fill it with buttercream frosting. Pipe the frosting onto the cakes in a swirling motion, starting from the center and working your way out.
- Add Festive Decorations: Top the cakes with sprinkles, candy canes, or mini Christmas trees for a festive touch.
Conclusion:
With careful preparation and a little creativity, anyone can make these delightful Mini Christmas Cakes at home. They are perfect for spreading holiday cheer at parties, gatherings, or as thoughtful gifts for friends and neighbors. The moist and fluffy cakes, combined with the creamy and flavorful buttercream frosting, make these treats irresistible. So, put on your apron, preheat your oven, and embark on a baking adventure that will fill your kitchen with the sweet scents of the season. Merry Christmas and happy baking!
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
#time-to-make #course #main-ingredient #preparation #occasion #desserts #fruit #oven #holiday-event #cakes #dietary #christmas #low-sodium #seasonal #low-in-something #equipment #4-hours-or-less
You'll also love